Bike Warm Up

[Lucky_Devil]

Sooooo....

Is it a big deal if I don't let my bike warm up to "Normal Operating Temp" prior to take off?

Since winter has kicked in, it takes F O R E V E R for my bike to warm up. Am I hurting anything by taking off early?

[KCDakar]

Since winter has kicked in, it takes F O R E V E R for my bike to warm up. Am I hurting anything by taking off early?

First off Rule # 1: San Francisco and Winter can't be used in the same paragraph.
Now if you lived where it snowed and snowed enough to stay on the ground to the point that it helped keep the overall temperature down. And I mean like in the FREEZING zone. Then you might need to take more precautions.:tongue
( I am razing you cause it is 14 deg's right now with about 6 inches of snow on the ground. That is coooold. And I can't get down my dirt road :( )

Always have fresh oil going into cold weather. The contaminants that get into the oil from use can cause more harm to your engine during the winter than when it's warm. If you store your bike it should be fresh too.
Your oil needs to be the viscosity that your manufacturer recommends for the temp you will be riding in. For me it is 20w50 summer 10w40 winter.
Fill your gas tank and do your best to keep it filled. Condensation will build in the empty part and can rust your tank. I lost two tanks on a bike before I Finally "got it" :confused: Plus it just SUCKS big time when you get the water in your filter and it plugs up or freezes.
If you take short trips and your bike never really warms up just like a car it is harder on your bike/car than if it gets up to temp and the parts all get warm and lubed and stay warm for a spell.
Most people that have something to say about this subject that are IMO credible tend to say as long as you know your oil pressure is up and stable. If you don't do wheelies from the start. And you ride easy tell you get the parts warm. You should be fine.
I start my bike. Put on my gear and ride away. It takes me 12 minutes to get to the main road. I take my time and figure that my bike is OK to go and get on the interstate and do 70++++.:happy

I don't know if I have helped or just confused the situation but I tried!
Feel free to ask about something if it doesn't make any sense. I'm always ready to :bs

I forgot! My Dakar has a radiator and when it is this cold I have to put cardboard in front of it to help keep it warm! I told you it was cold didn't I? :lol

[Lucky_Devil]

Hmmm... I thought Winter was a season regardless of geographic location??? But I see your point, so I shall now refer to "Winter" as "Extended Fall"... or "Fall-Version 2.0."

I decided that I'm being entirely too impatient, and I should just let my bike warm up. I took off early a couple times, and I could tell a difference in how the bike was running. I mean geez... It's only a couple of minutes (yes, I timed it).

Sometimes I crack myself up :lol

I think it might be because it's time for finals right now, and I feel pressed for time every waking second of the day... which is rolling over into other aspects of my life. I made a mental note to make sure that I pay close attention to my riding style for the next couple of weeks, and ensure that I'm not riding in a more "risky" fashion than I normally would be.

Thanks for all of the superfluous information though :lol

[Inky]

It was 31 degrees this morning...........that counts as winter.:( :) :happy :lol

[KCDakar]

It was 31 degrees this morning...........that counts as winter.:( :) :happy :lol

Yep!:lol